The Jewish idea of reincarnation, or gilgul, was developed in mystical, Kabbalistic texts nearly 1,000 years ago and has evolved ever since. During that evolution, it has become a point of fascination for artists, scholars and mystics alike. One such writer who became taken with the idea is Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, the famed Jewish historian who wrote only one piece of fiction in his life: a short story called “Gilgul” in which the main character, a scholar named Ravitch, visits a fortune-teller to learn the fate of his soul. In the excerpt below, the fortune-teller, Gerda, asks Ravitch what he knows about gilgul.

Suggested Activity: Before diving into Yerushalmi’s excerpt, give students the chance to simply share their ideas about the soul. Does it even exist? And if so, what is the soul anyway? After sharing the excerpt, ask students to explore the linguistic relationship between גַלגַל (galgal – wheel) and גִלגוּל (gilgul – reincarnation). Then, address the essential question lurking beneath everything: supposing reincarnation exists, for what purpose does it exist? Ask students how they feel about Ravitch’s opinion that the idea of reincarnation exists as “a give-me-another-chance” doctrine. Do they connect with such an idea? Or does it seem too utilitarian or practical?